Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to punish those responsible for mass killings in the country’s coastal region, where hundreds have been reported dead. The violence targeted civilians, security forces, and armed fighters, with many members of the Alawite minority among the victims.
Al-Sharaa said he would not accept any unjust bloodshed or punishment from within his own circle. He attributed the outbreak of violence to supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad who were backed by foreigners but acknowledged that government forces had also carried out attacks. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported nearly 1,500 deaths between Thursday and Saturday, including 830 civilians.
An independent committee formed by Al-Sharaa has been tasked with probing the killings within 30 days to identify the perpetrators. He blamed al-Assad loyalists who triggered the clashes on Thursday to foment unrest and create communal discord. Foreign powers have been implicated in the violence, but Al-Sharaa did not specify which country was involved.
The Syrian leader has met with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey amid the recent clashes, while Russia expressed deep concern over the situation. The US government blames “radical Islamist terrorists” for the violence. Meanwhile, talks are ongoing between Syria and Russia over its military presence in two Mediterranean bases. Al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of preserving relations with Moscow to prevent any threat to global stability.
Israel has accused al-Sharaa of committing “horrifying acts against a civilian population,” but he dismissed these claims as “nonsense.”
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/10/syrias-al-sharaa-vows-to-punish-forces-responsible-for-mass-killings